The Battle between the Divine and the Carnal Love c. 1750 - 1800

This relief sculpture, titled "The Battle between the Divine and the Carnal Love," was carved by an anonymous artist using stone. The cool, pale stone has a tactile quality, inviting touch despite the protective barrier. You can imagine the sculptor carefully removing material, bit by bit, to reveal the forms within. Notice the contrast between the polished, smooth surfaces of the figures' skin and the rougher, textured background. The figures emerge out of it. The processes used to make this work are physically demanding, requiring both strength and precision. It is a tradition, a form of skilled labor, and a testament to the human capacity for transformation. The act of carving itself imbues the stone with meaning, elevating it from a raw material to a representation of complex human emotions. Thinking about this work through its materiality and making encourages us to consider the skills and the time required to create such a piece, breaking down the idea that craft and fine art are separate.